CCAD Stories

The ink had barely dried on their diplomas when Wes Talbott (Illustration, 2013) and Lillie Talbott (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2013) upped and moved to Billund, Denmark, where Wes had been offered a position with childhood toy favorite LEGO Group.

CCAD grads Wes and Lillie Talbott live their dream, working as designers for LEGO in Denmark. They met at CCAD, married in 2013, and now thrive in creative, playful roles.

Paitoon Ratanasirintrawoot, CCAD grad, fulfilled career goals at Disney, Marvel, and now leads projects at ITEC, creating dreams every day.

Grace Hilliard-Koshinsky, a former foster child turned artist, intertwines art with child welfare advocacy. Her metalwork explores permanence vs. transience. She credits mentors for her growth and manages her busy life with a color-coded schedule.

Not too long ago, Columbus College of Art & Design grad Grahm Jones (Photography, 1997) was a kid in Clintonville dreaming of photographing for National Geographic, spending his days among animals, and soaking up the outdoors.

Erik Maell’s career has taken him from Victoria’s Secret to Lucasfilm, Walt Disney, Marvel Comics, DC Comics, and other clients. But for the last few years, the Mona Lisa has inspired a passion project.

Anthony Baker (BFA, 1986) discovered medical illustration after CCAD, earning a second degree in the field from OSU. Now, he illustrates for doctors and researchers at Ohio State, combining his art and science skills to advance medical understanding.

The summer before he arrived at CCAD, Jeremy Rosario (Advertising & Graphic Design, 2000) worked to save the money for his airfare from Puerto Rico. The portfolio he’d created in his arts-focused high school had won him a spot at CCAD, and he was ready to live his dream of a life in art. Why let a little thing like the fact he couldn't speak English stop him?

Jerry McDaniel arrived in NYC in 1957, soon creating illustrations for major brands. A versatile artist, he later taught at FIT/SUNY and lectured at CCAD.

Brooklyn-based Zach Dilgard (Media Studies Still-Based, 2002) is a photo director, producer, and editor with 15 years’ experience shooting and producing photo shoots, primarily in the entertainment and TV industry.

Andy Harkness, Disney art director since 1993, shaped Mulan, Tangled, Zootopia, & Moana. His journey from cleanup artist to Emmy winner inspires.